What condition is characterized by a core body temperature less than 95 degrees?

Hypothermia is defined as a condition where the core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). This drop in temperature can have serious physiological effects on the body, leading to symptoms such as shivering, confusion, and lethargy. The body's normal temperature regulation mechanisms become ineffective, which can result in severe complications if not treated promptly.

In contrast, hyperthermia refers to an elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation, often caused by excessive heat exposure or strenuous activity, while heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that occurs when the body loses excessive amounts of water and salt, usually due to prolonged exposure to heat. Fever is an elevation of body temperature due to infection or inflammation. Each of these conditions is distinct and defined by either increased or normal temperatures rather than the dangerous drop characteristic of hypothermia.